Date of publication:
21 Dec. 24The future of voice search in marketing
Imagine you’re looking for the nearest coffee shop. What would you do? Type your query into a search engine? Or simply say, “Google, where’s the nearest coffee shop?” If your choice is the latter, you’re among the 40% of people who use voice search daily.
Voice assistants have already become a part of our lives, but their role in marketing is only beginning to unfold. It’s not just a trend — it’s a revolution that’s transforming how we consume information, purchase goods, and order services.
However, most companies are still unprepared for the challenges posed by voice search. How can businesses adapt to this new format? Which technologies should be implemented today? In this article, we’ll answer these questions, explore key trends, and share practical advice.
What is voice search and why is it important for marketing
Imagine a situation where your customer wants to find a product or service but doesn’t have time to search manually. What do they do? That’s right, they turn to a voice assistant. Voice search is no longer a “technology of the future” — it’s already part of our everyday lives.
Let’s compare. In the past, people opened newspapers to find the ads they needed. Today, they simply say: “Google, find me where I can buy coffee near me.” Fast, convenient, and effortless. But here’s the key question: is your business ready for such queries?
Why voice search matters for marketers
As a marketer, you should keep the following in mind:
- Queries sound different. People speak the way they think. For example, instead of “buy iron Kyiv,” they might say: “Where can I buy an iron in Kyiv?” If your content isn’t optimized for conversational language, you’ll go unnoticed.
- Local relevance is key. According to Google, 58% of voice queries are related to local businesses. If you own a coffee shop or a service center, ignoring this is a missed opportunity.
- Immediate needs. Voice search is used when users want an instant solution. Whoever appears first in the results will win the customer.
Real-life case:
Domino’s Pizza implemented ordering through Alexa. What did it achieve? A 10% increase in new customers in the first year. This proves that voice search isn’t just a trendy feature — it’s a tool that truly drives sales.
How voice search is changing consumer behavior
Imagine you’re rushing to a business meeting and suddenly remember you’ve run out of coffee at home. Stopping to Google? Unnecessary. You simply command: “Siri, find me the nearest store with coffee.” And within seconds, you get a response that saves your time and energy.
This is exactly how consumers use voice search today — they want quick solutions, not endless lists of links.
What’s changing in customer behavior?
- They’ve gotten used to speed. People want answers immediately. Five seconds — and you’ve either won the customer or lost them to a competitor.
- Simplified queries. Nobody searches for “buy smartwatch price Kyiv” anymore. Instead, they’ll ask: “Where can I buy a good smartwatch in Kyiv?”
- Local focus. “Siri, which pizza place is closest to me?” — this is one of the most popular use cases for voice search.
According to BrightLocal, 46% of voice search users look for local business information daily, and another 28% do it at least once a week. This isn’t just a trend — it’s the new standard.
Insights for businesses:
- Conversational content. Write as if you’re talking to a friend. Forget stiff, formal phrases.
- Optimization for local search. Register on Google My Business and keep your contact information updated.
- Instant answers. FAQ sections with concise responses can significantly improve your visibility in voice searches.
Practical case:
The Hilton hotel chain started using voice assistants in their apps. Now, customers can check room availability, book services, or even get personalized recommendations in seconds. The result? A 15% increase in bookings within the first six months.
SEO for voice search — new rules of the game
Did you know that voice search queries are typically three times longer than text-based ones? For example, instead of “restaurants Kyiv,” people say, “Where can I find a restaurant with live music in the center of Kyiv?” This completely changes the approach to SEO.
How to optimize your website for voice search
- Conversational keywords. Forget about rigid queries. Add more natural, conversational phrases. For example: “How to make perfect pasta at home?”
- Local SEO. If your business relies on location, ensure your address, business hours, and contact details are accurate.
- Optimized content. Write so that assistants can quickly find answers. Structure texts in a question-and-answer format.
What to consider:
- 70% of voice search queries start with “how,” “what,” “why,” or “where.”
- The average voice assistant response is 29 words long.
Whole Foods optimized for voice search by adding blog recipes in question format, such as “How to make guacamole?” As a result, their traffic increased by 34% in six months.
Business recommendations:
- Add structure. Use lists, tables, and short paragraphs.
- Featured snippets. Voice assistants often pull responses directly from them.
- Site speed optimization. A slow website loses ranking in search results.
Real case:
The renowned brand Nike created an interactive voice search platform where users could find the nearest store or learn about new products. This not only increased sales but also boosted the company’s image as an innovative brand.
Conclusion:
Voice search is transforming SEO, and your success depends on how quickly you adapt to the new rules and trends.
The future of voice search in marketing
Let’s be honest: voice search is no longer just a “gimmick” for people who don’t like typing. It’s the future that’s reshaping the rules of the game. If businesses want to stay leaders, they must start thinking like their customers—quickly, audibly, and effectively.
What’s ahead?
- Artificial intelligence will become smarter. Assistants will not only respond to queries but also consider preferences, purchase history, and even mood. For example: you ask, “What should I get my wife for her birthday?” and Alexa replies, “She mentioned a new smartphone last week.”
- Internet of Things (IoT). Your smart home will become your best marketer. The fridge will order groceries, and the washing machine will recommend the best detergent.
- Interactive advertising. Voice assistants will deliver relevant ads directly in their responses.
A bit of statistics:
- According to eMarketer, 91% of voice search queries will be related to purchases or local services.
- By 2025, nearly 8 billion devices worldwide will support voice search.
How does this change marketing?
Marketers gain a new level of integration with customers. Voice search enables brands to become the “voice” that helps people in their daily lives. Example:
- A restaurant can be the top recommendation for “Where to have dinner nearby?”
- A tech store might offer: “What reliable laptops are under $1000?”
Imagine your voice assistant can plan your personalized day. For example, you ask, “What to do in Lviv over the weekend?” and the assistant suggests an itinerary, books a table at a restaurant, and recommends an exhibition. This isn’t science fiction—it’s just a few years away.
Conclusion:
Voice search is your chance to get closer to customers. It turns businesses into partners that solve problems faster than they arise.
How to prepare your business for the era of voice search
Imagine: a customer is driving, sets aside their phone, activates their voice assistant, and asks: “Where’s the nearest coffee shop?” And your business doesn’t appear in the answer. Why? Because you’re not ready for the era of voice search. But no worries — you can start right now!
First steps that will change everything:
- Check if your website speaks your customers’ language. Not formal, but the language they use in everyday life. Instead of the standard “Buy laptop Kyiv,” your content should sound like: “Where to find the best laptop for work in Kyiv?”
- Expand your FAQ. Create a list of popular questions and provide short, clear answers. This will help the assistant “understand” how you can assist customers.
- Local focus is your ace. Remember: 58% of voice queries are about local businesses. Register on Google My Business, add photos, update your hours, and describe your unique services.
- Mobile version is a must. Your site should run like a Ferrari, not an old clunker. Check its speed and responsiveness.
- Team preparation. If your business has managers or operators, train them to handle voice inquiries. For example, if a customer uses an assistant to search for “Salon near Levoberezhna metro station offering manicure,” they should respond accurately to such queries.
What will make you a leader:
- Adding long-tail keywords.
- Integrating voice search into your CRM systems.
- Using schema markup so assistants can find your offerings faster.
A small coffee shop in Odesa updated its Google My Business profile and added the phrase: “Takeaway coffee, 2 minutes from Odesa center.” In six months, their customer base grew by 25%.
How does it work?
Voice search is all about speed, accuracy, and simplicity. Customers won’t wait. They’ll choose whoever responds to their needs immediately.
Key takeaway:
You can’t afford to ignore voice search. It’s not just about SEO — it’s about making your business “heard” in the world of digital technologies.
Voice search — a new era of marketing
Let’s be clear: voice search isn’t just an innovation; it’s a revolution in how customers interact with brands. In a world where every second counts, your business must speak loudly, clearly, and convincingly. Artificial intelligence has already reshaped marketing. And what about voice search?
What’s important to remember?
- Voice assistants don’t just answer queries; they shape customers’ impressions of your business.
- Clients want instant answers, not lengthy searches.
- Technology is evolving, and those who adapt first will capture the lion’s share of the market.
Your potential customer asks, “Where can I find the best beauty salon nearby?” Do you think they’ll choose you or your competitor whose website is optimized for voice search? The answer is obvious.
What to do?
- Check if voice assistants can find your business.
- Create content that addresses real customer questions.
- Adapt your strategies for voice technologies before your competitors do.
Question for you: Are you ready for this change? If not now, then when?
The world is changing, and you need to stay ahead to remain competitive. Voice search is your chance to get closer to customers, speak their language, and offer solutions even before they ask the question. But remember to follow ethical standards when collecting and using data.